https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance
In psychology, cognitive dissonance is the mental stress (discomfort) experienced by a person who simultaneously holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values, when performing an action that contradicts those beliefs, ideas, and values; or when confronted with new information that contradicts existing beliefs, ideas, and values.[1][2]
news bulletin: fessler versus watchtower – opening statements and motions in jehovah’s witness child abuse trial – day 1. .
posted on february 12, 2017. city hall, philadelphia, pennsylvania.
on a cold philadelphia morning the 7th of february, 2017, stephanie fessler walked into the court of common pleas of pennsylvania, first judicial district, civil trial division.
It's actually "good" that they are saying that she lied.
That means they knew about it.
If you hear an "allegation" you are suppose to report it, let the police "investigate" it. Does the law say "If you think it is a lie, don't report it"?
If it is proven that she was molested, then "they knew about it" and 'the WT & elders should have reported it'.
noas a current or past jehovah's witness, do you / or did you feel part of a spiritual paradise with full liberty in christ as the watchtower society/organisation describes?.
or do you / did you feel you were wearing a proverbial straitjacket in the sense you feel / felt restricted and controlled by the watchtower society / organisation?.
You know, UnshackleTheChains, that is a good question.... One I wish I had asked myself years agol
In fact, unless the GB or WT or "The Society" had told me I was in a spiritual paradise, I never would have described it that way. I would not be sitting on the back porch dreaming "ahhhh, I am in a spiritual paradise"
I was a child in the 50's, going to looooooong meetings three times a week, going door to door, no holidays, long drives (8 hours?) to long conventions (8 days) that lasted from 9 in the morning to 9 at night, sitting in rain, fog, and hot sun (getting hives from it)
Paradise? no Spiritual paradise? Give me a break, just read some of those long winded WT's and "Book Study Books" with literal/ and type/anti-type explanations. Ahhhh!
Friends? nope, not too many. Mostly "March, march march." It was very difficult during high school to keep up with the meeting regime and homework.
Did I have fun? hmmm!? Sometimes, but mostly "Watch what you wear, don't wear too much make up, don't wear your hear like that, don't run into the convention, make sure you....... "
Yep..... it definitely was a straight jacket. Not really a 'spiritual paradise' at all.
http://avoidjw.org/2017/02/stephanie-fessler-v-watch-tower/.
stephanie fessler v watch tower.
stephanie fessler was brought up as a jehovah’s witness by her parents, jodee and kevin.
The trial was suppose to start today Tuesday, 2/7/17) at 11 am, does anyone have any updates?
as in today's study.... 18 to lie is to say something untruthful.
(as in millions now living will never die, this generation will by no means pass away, allegations of pedophile abuse of children in congregations is apostate lies) however, jehovah wants his people to go beyond not telling outright lies.
he urged the ancient israelites: “you should be holy, because i, jehovah your god, am holy.” then he gave examples of being holy.
As I just commented on the "one drop of poison in a glass of water" post just a few seconds ago....
Wt like to be the FIRST one to say something (before they can be accused) so that they can childishly say, "We said it first, so we are the right ones"
Their hypocrisy and audacity is maddening.
no doubt we have all heard that well used "illustration" in public talks etc over the years:.
"if you were handed a glass of water that looked pure, but were told it has just a tiny drop of poison in it, would you drink it?".
the society has used that illustration at length to say we should avoid all influences of every part of the world.. but, as we know, the society has had a track record of errors, false ideas and doctrines.
This is one of the reasons I .... "hate".... the WT so much...
They try to make the "first" accusation:
"Would you drink it if it had one drop of poison in it?"
"What kind of religion would not let you question it, wouldn't that make you suspicious?"
"We abhoooooorrrrr child abuse!"
So that they can say, "We said it first, so it can't be us!"
http://avoidjw.org/2017/02/stephanie-fessler-v-watch-tower/.
stephanie fessler v watch tower.
stephanie fessler was brought up as a jehovah’s witness by her parents, jodee and kevin.
there's a lot of criticism surrounding the jw's handling of chiild abuse within their ranks with a lot of it being well deserved.
but i'm interested to know how people on here think child abuse allegations should be handled.
there's a few scenarios below, the first couple are easy then it gets a bit more complex.
When you involve "the congregation/ elders" you are in danger of being DFD for gossiping or whatever else they want to call it.
You have more chance of being DFD for being a victim than being a perpetual.
That should also be a crime.
my wife is still nominally in, but only because it "makes me (her) happy".
there is nothing academic about her beliefs and when i try, she interprets me as negative.. but then she cusses like a sailor and watches certain movies with me.
her birthday is coming up and it's also right around valentine's day.
Totally! a wrapped gift... hmmmm, Do you know her style in earrings?
and also, a gift of 'dancing lessons'? some thing you do together, that makes her say, "Hey, I like doing this better than going to meetings?" Plus it gets her brain out of 'meetingville', haha!
On the card, "Just because I love you"
Good luck, let us know how it goes!
cha ching
on the front of the 2016 year book it says that the watchtower is spending $200 million us dollars a year on special pioners etc if they get $1 billion us dollars from selling all the buildings at bethel in new york by my mats that gives them another five years or so.what might happen after that ????
:-).
8 million JWs times $1 a month is $8,000,000 a month, times 12 months is $96 million a year.
$2.10 a month from 8 million JWs almost gives you $201,600,000 a year.
I know of at least two people so far who have willed their entire belongings, house included, to the WT. One house must have been worth at least $600,000, the other? at least $400,000. Plus their cars, jewelry, everything.
Plus, it seems like every 3 months or so the WT writes the congregation, "Do you think you could get your publishers to donate a few dollars for xxx fund?"
The WT has a cool racket going.
